TITLE:
Clinical, Aetiological and Evolutionary Aspects of Respiratory Distress in Term Neonates: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Abdoul Karim Doumbia, Doumbia Aminata, Coulibaly Oumar, Pierre Togo, Adama Dembélé, Abdoul Aziz Diakité, Mohamed Elmouloud Cissé, Hawa Diall, Belco Maïga, Aminata Coulibaly, Mariam Kané, Tati Simaga, Karamoko Sacko, Yacouba Aba Coulibaly, Djéneba Konaté, Ibrahima Ahamadou, Hawa Konaré, Lala Ndrainy Sidibé, Kalirou Traoré, Fatoumata Léonie Diakité, Guédiouma Dembélé, Fatoumata Dicko, Fousseyni Traoré, Boubacar Togo
KEYWORDS:
Respiratory Distress, Neonate, Asphyxia
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.6,
November
7,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Respiratory distress is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates.
The aim of this study was to assess its frequency and describe its clinical and
evolutionary characteristics in the neonatology department of the Gabriel Touré
University Hospital in Bamako. Methodology: This was a prospective
cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. All term
neonates aged 0 to 28 days hospitalised with signs of respiratory distress
(tachypnoea, nasal flaring, expiratory whining, intercostal and subcostal
indrawing, xiphoid funneling and cyanosis) were included. The sociodemographic
and clinical variables of the newborns and their mothers were analysed using
SPSS.20 software. Results: During the study period, 1272 newborns were
admitted to hospital, including 705 born at term, of whom 188 were included in
the study. The mothers’ ages ranged from 14 to 45 years, with an average of 24
years. The pregnancy was not followed up in 15% of cases. Newborns were
resuscitated at birth in 51% of cases. The main clinical signs observed were
hypoxia, neurological disorders and fever. Perinatal asphyxia (55%), neonatal
infections (34%) and congenital malformations (6%) were the main causes of
respiratory distress. Mortality was estimated at 37%. Conclusion: Neonatal
respiratory distress is a major cause of death. Most causes can be avoided if
pregnancy and delivery are properly managed.